WASTE-EATING BACTERIA

An extremophile bacteria has been found in an old lime kiln in Peak District in Britain that is able to survive in harsh conditions not suitable for humans, more specifically, in underground radioactive waste disposal sites. This particular bacteria can actually help eat away at nuclear waste. Extremophile bacteria have been found thriving in soil samples from highly alkaline industrial sites. They are tiny waste-eating organisms that have never been discovered before.

Nuclear waste is contained in concrete vaults deep underground for thousands of years. Due to chemical reactions it can flow out of the underground vaults and contaminate water or even enter the food chain. This bacteria could help stop this process and keep the nuclear waste underground. Britain has a huge problem of getting rid of nuclear waste and they hope this bacteria can help with that effort.